"Yes, I would. I couldn't have held on much longer, as I'm getting old and I'm not as strong as I was."
"Some one else would have come to your aid."
"I don't know about that. There is no one aboard either of the barges. I didn't know that, or I shouldn't have come here to-night. That vessel over there has gone out of commission, and there is no one aboard her. There's a watchman on the pier, but he didn't hear me calling for help. You saved my life, and I'll not forget it."
"I am glad I was able to," responded Nat.
"What is your name?" asked the pilot. He seemed to be feeling better.
"I'm Nat Morton."
"Nat Morton! I've heard of you. Why, you're the boy who got the rowboat out of the way of the vessel I was bringing in the other day, aren't you?"
"I guess I am."
"Well, I've wanted to meet you to thank you for that. Then, before I get a chance to do it, you do me another favor. I heard about you from a friend of mine—a pilot. He said you were always about the docks."
"Yes, I spend a good deal of my time here. I get occasional jobs, and I like the ships."